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Sports

Tuesday April 22, 2008

Sign of corruption in Malaysian game?

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Are the bookies back at work?

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have got to crack the whip as there are clear indications of the unhealthy practice making a return to the Malaysian Super League (MSL) this season.

It seems to be an “open secret” but none have been bold enough to come forward to report any match-fixing incidents to enable the authorities concerned to open up police investigations and to take action against the culprits, who bring disrepute to the game.

Last month, the Sarawak FA (FAS) suspended two players suspected of fixing a match.

Sarawak's Borneo Post reported that the FAS would conduct investigations into alleged match-fixing following the suspension of the two players.

Sarawak coach Kunju Jamaluddin admitted that two players had been suspended but did not to wish to elaborate on the offence.

“All I can say is that they were punished for indiscipline,” said Kunju when contacted in Kuching yesterday.

However, according to reliable sources, other players in the team were also suspected to be on the take and that each player had received RM20,000 to fix the result of a game.

Sarawak are languishing at the bottom of the 13-team Super League with 14 points.

With two more matches to go they are likely to be relegated to the Premier League next season.

The last nationwide crackdown on bookies and match-fixers in 1994 saw more than 100 players hauled up by the Police and many were subsequently banned.

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